Rail Industry News
Amtrak warns of 2,400 additional job losses without new bailout
(Source: Reuters, October 8, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. government-supported passenger railroad Amtrak said on Thursday that without a new government bailout it could be forced to cut more spending and train services which could lead to the loss of another 2,400...
FRA, NHTSA launch rail crossing safety campaign
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, October 6, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced the launch today of this year’s Stop. Trains Can’t. public education campaign, which will run through November 8. This...
Kansas issues first round of Short Line Rail Fund grants
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 7, 2020) Kansas state officials yesterday announced the 13 recipients of $5 million in grants awarded through the state's new Short Line Rail Improvement Fund program. Full story: Progressive Railroading
Ontario pension fund, rail holding company to acquire five short lines
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 7, 2020) An Ontario pension fund is joining with Jaguar Transport Holdings LLC and Jaguar Rail Holdings LLC to acquire five U.S. short lines, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) documents. Full story: Progressive...
These are the cuts MBTA is discussing for its trains, buses and ferries due to COVID-19
(Source: Boston.com, October 6, 2020) BOSTON — As much as the MBTA had mapped out ambitious plans to improve future service, the transit agency’s leaders have made one thing increasingly clear in the wake of the crippling financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic:...
Norfolk Southern: Impairment charge to help lower Q3 operating expenses
(Source: Freight Waves, October 7, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — An approximately $99 million impairment charge will help lower third-quarter operating expenses and operating ratio for Norfolk Southern, according to a company filing late Wednesday to the U.S. Securities...
U.S. freight railroads meeting harvest season needs, say shippers on STB advisory panel
(Source: Freight Waves, October 7, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Despite having locomotives in storage and personnel furloughed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. freight railroads have been able to bring back resources and meet the needs for rail...
September 2020 was fourth best intermodal month in history, AAR says
(Source: Railway Age, October 8, 2020) NEW YORK — “September 2020 was the fourth best intermodal month in history for U.S. railroads, as retailers and others restocked their inventories and prepared for the holiday season,” Association of American Railroads Senior...
Q&A: RRB financial reports
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, September 15, 2020) CHICAGO — As required by law, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) submits annual reports to Congress on the financial condition of the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance...
RRB Chairman appoints Bartnicki as Attorney-Advisor
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, September 30, 2020) CHICAGO — Daniel J. Bartnicki has been named an attorney-advisor to the Chairman of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), Erhard R. Chorlé. At the time of his appointment, Mr. Bartnicki was the...
70-pound bear cub at train station delayed NJ Transit rail service
(Source: www.nj.com, October 6, 2020) NEWARK, N.J. — A 70-pound bear cub brought trains to a halt as NJ Transit police and other first responders closed the station to keep curious onlookers away from the bear. Full story: www.nj.com
Ogilvie ticket verification booths are a symptom of harmful Metra-Union Pacific conflict
(Source: Streetsblog Chicago, October 6, 2020) CHICAGO — As if safety concerns, a 90 percent drop in ridership, and plummeting ticket revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic weren’t enough to worry about, Metra commuter rail’s ongoing dispute with the Union Pacific...
U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear Indian River County’s appeal of Brightline lawsuit
(Source: TCPalm.com, October 6, 2020) INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — The U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Indian River County's appeal of its lawsuit against Brightline and the Federal Railroad Administration. Full story: www.tcpalm.com
Mexican rail blockade continues to affect freight flows
(Source: Freight Waves, October 6, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A railway blockade carried out by teachers and students in Mexico continues to strain commercial cargo movement from the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, one of the country’s key seaports, according to an official...
Hurricane Delta eyeing U.S. landfall later this week
(Source: Freight Waves, October 6, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tropical Storm Delta gained a lot of steam Monday night, quickly becoming the ninth hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season. Full story: Freight Waves
Havre Amtrak still not selling tickets
(Source: Havre Daily News, October 5, 2020) HAVRE, Mont. — The Amtrak station in Havre still has yet to reinstate traditional ticket agents for the Empire Builder despite Congress having ordered Amtrak to do so last year and members of Montana’s congressional...
Amtrak restores more Keystone Service between Harrisburg and New York
(Source: PennLive.com, October 5, 2020) HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced today that they have restored some Keystone Service trains between New York and Harrisburg. Full story: www.pennlive.com
CN sets another grain record
(Source: Canadian National press release, October 5, 2020) MONTREAL — As the North American economy continues its recovery, CN is pleased to announce that its people moved 7.76 million metric tonnes (MMT) of grain in the third quarter of 2020 and that September marked...
Operation Lifesaver education materials going virtual
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, October 5, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Lifesaver Inc., (OLI), the national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safety around trains and tracks, has reframed some of its most popular education materials into...
NS tracking Tropical Storm Delta
(Source: Norfolk Southern Service Alert, October 5, 2020) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern is monitoring Tropical Storm Delta, which is currently expected to impact the Gulf Coast late this week. The New Orleans Flood Protection Authority plans to start closing the...
BLET News
BLET National Division Convention opens October 4
Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa will deliver the keynote address during opening ceremonies of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s (BLET’s) Second National Convention, which kicks off here on October 4.
Illinois SLB Chairman Paul Piekarski reelected by acclamation
Brother Paul Piekarski was elected by acclamation to continue serving as Chairman of the Illinois State Legislative Board at the Board’s 13th quadrennial meeting in Schaumburg, Ill., from September 23-24, 2010.
Open enrollment coming soon for important health care reform changes
Starting shortly, employees covered under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan and the National Railway Carriers and United Transportation Union Health and Welfare Plan (the Plan) will receive their annual Open Enrollment Packets from Railroad Enrollment Services. It is imperative that every employee open the packet to read the important Plan changes effective January 1, 2011. Further, it is also vital that each employee reads the instructions on how to comply with the Federal Law requiring Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for covered dependents.
Plan ahead for 2011 BLET regional meetings
BLET members making vacation plans for next year are encouraged to consider attending one of the BLET’s regional meetings in 2011.
UP General Chairman Bill Hannah reelected by acclamation
Brother D.W. “Bill” Hannah was reelected by acclamation to his fourth term as General Chairman of the Union Pacific-Western Lines General Committee of Adjustment at triennial meetings in San Diego, Calif., from September 21-23, 2010.
BLET urges FRA to improve cab safety, security
In the aftermath of the tragic murder of CSX Conductor Fred Gibbs in the cab of his train’s lead locomotive, BLET National President Dennis Pierce has called on the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to act to improve the safety and security of locomotive cabs to help protect operating crews.
Teamsters Canada Rail Conference opens Second National Convention
Some 165 delegates and a gallery of almost 150 guests and invited international visitors opened the second quadrennial national convention of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) here on September 21 under the banner of “Building the Future.”
San Antonio hosts BLET for 75th annual SWCM
Linda Chavez-Thompson, candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Texas and former Executive Vice President of the AFL-CIO, addressed more than 300 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) today during opening ceremonies of the union’s 75th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM).
BLET launches close call reporting system at Amtrak
Amtrak and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) will begin working together to improve safe train operations under a joint Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) at nine locations throughout the United States.
Upcoming important changes regarding dependents and life-time limits in the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan (GA-23000)
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Since that date several federal agencies have published Interim Final Regulations (IFRs) interpreting the provisions of the Act (the “Act”).
